Haine discusses marijuana measures

SPRINGFIELD — Marijuana is one step closer to decriminalization in Illinois — and easier to detect on those under the influence of it and behind the wheel.

According to a bill that passed both houses of the Illinois General Assembly on May 21, possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana would be punishable by a simple fine starting at $125. The bill is awaiting the signature of Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Besides lowering the penalties of possession of a small amount of marijuana, the bill also assists law enforcement and prosecutors with taking impaired drivers off the roads in Illinois.

Illinois Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) spoke to the Telegraph about this bill and the future of marijuana in Illinois. Haine said he primarily voted for the bill because of the increased ability to detect driving impairment. He agreed, however, that the occasional user of marijuana should not have his or her future stunted by having a possession charge on his or her record.

“We’re moving forward with removing drivers from the road who are impaired,” Haine said. “It’s a part of this bill that is important to prosecutors and law-abiding citizens who do not want to get into collisions with other drivers under the influence of marijuana. Secondarily, I agree we shouldn’t be criminalizing people by ruining their records with the possession of small amounts of marijuana.”

To improve the enforcement of DUIs on drivers who are under the influence of marijuana, Haine said a benchmark for marijuana was set similar to the blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 used with alcohol enforcement. That limitation is 15 nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, in an individual’s saliva.

Law enforcement will have the ability to test the saliva of impaired drivers for THC. Haine said similar tests could be used to detect abuse of prescription pills and other illicit substances that may impair driving. According to Haine, that provision to the bill garnered endorsements from the Illinois States Attorneys’ Association as well as Republican lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly.

Illinois also currently has the strictest medical marijuana laws in the country, Haine said.

“Medical marijuana should be restricted to those who have diseases instead of a gateway to recreational use,” he said.

Haine was one of the supporters of Illinois’ medical marijuana pilot program. He said holders of a medical marijuana license in Illinois could lose the privileges of that license if they are traveling with their marijuana on their person or in an open container in their vehicles. He said they are subject to the same impaired driving regulations.

When asked if the recreational use of marijuana was in the future of Illinois, Haine was hesitant to say yes. He said he would not personally support such legislation at this time citing that marijuana was a “dangerous substance that was harmful with continuous use.” He did say that he would see how well the recreational marijuana legislation in states such as Colorado and Washington do.

“We should develop an educational plan similar to what we have with tobacco,” he said. “People do use it, but it can be harmful with continued use. Alcohol is the same thing with the same issues. That’s why the impaired driver issue with the increased use of marijuana is crucial.”

When asked about a study recently published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” linking medical marijuana to a 25 percent decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths, Haine said that he was not familiar with the study. He did say, however, he saw a study linking prescription pill abuse to heroin use.

“The gateway drugs to heroin are actually opiates such as Oxycontin,” he said. “People become hooked on painkillers and go to heroin, which is cheaper on the streets, when their prescriptions run out. There used to be a popular idea that marijuana was a gateway drug, but the studies are showing opiates are when they are abused.”